Dear friends in Christ,
Today we begin our annual pilgrimage through the season of Lent. For some of us, this may feel like an intolerable burden. For others, it may be a desert time that reminds us of our need of the oasis of God’s refreshing love. And for a few readers, perhaps this yearly invitation to repent brings outright joy.
Wherever you are, I pray that this season brings you the blessings you need.
If you are able, I hope you are able to be in church today—to hear the invitation to a holy Lent, to hear God’s word, to feast on Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, and to be reminded of the gift that is human life. The prayer for the day is lovely:
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I don’t need to add much to these beautiful and evocative cadences. God loves us. He welcomes our return and urges our repentance.
Maybe this seems irrelevant to the needs of a world that cries out in pain. But it seems to me this is the time—more than ever—for those of us to follow Jesus to clear away the distraction and focus on our Lord and Savior. If we can see ourselves as his beloved, we may have the courage to bear grace and mercy into this struggling world.
A tiny seed can fill soil with life. And that is our calling, to be the growing branches of the vine that is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yours faithfully,
Scott Gunn
Executive Director
More from our ministry:
Join us for Lunch & Learn sessions every Wednesday in Lent
Celebrate 90 years of Forward Day by Day in our upcoming webinar
Start reading our Lenten devotional today on Amazon Kindle or Apple Books
Beautiful prayers for the liturgical year: Saint Augustine’s Prayer Book